Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Microbiology

University of Oxford - NDM Experimental Medicine

Location: John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU

About the Role

We are seeking a creative, collaborative and enthusiastic laboratory microbiologist to lead on the bacteriology work supporting a collaborative project with medicinal chemistry/structural biology teams with the exciting and ambitious goal of identifying novel chemical compounds to target human infections caused by Klebsiella species. The post will also be affiliated with other projects being undertaken as part of a Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated infections and Antimicrobial Resistance. The job will primarily be based in the Modernising Medical Microbiology (MMM) Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. (https://www.expmedndm.ox.ac.uk/mmm).

The postholder will lead on developing and undertaking workflows to phenotypically characterise bacterial strains, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing (e.g. MICs/MBCs) of established drugs and candidate hits derived from the chemical screening process; molecular microbiology to support the genetic modification and evaluation of strains with genetic modifications that contribute to phenotypic resistance; and resistance evolution experiments to understand the potential for and mechanisms of resistance emergence for drugs relevant to the project including novel compounds identified as part of the consortium’s work.

About the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine

The Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine (NDM) is one of the largest departments of the University of Oxford and is part of the Medical Sciences Division, with responsibility for a significant part of the teaching of clinical students within the Medical School.

What We Offer

• Flexible working
• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays)
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

About You

You will be educated to PhD-level (or close to completion) with relevant microbiological research experience (or MSc-level with substantial equivalent relevant experience) with a track record of developing ideas through to publication. You will be an excellent communicator and team-player, with experience in delivering independently on projects to fixed timelines, and motivated to support inter-disciplinary translational research for the benefit of patients.

The post is full-time and fixed term for 2 years with possibility of extension.

Application process

Only online applications received before midday (UK time) on Friday 13th March 2026 can be considered.

You will be required to upload and complete the Supporting Evidence Form supplied, mapping evidence of your skills to the post’s “essential” and “desirable criteria” as listed. Please do not upload a cover letter. Please provide a CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

Interviews are due to be held on Monday 23rd March possibly in the morning.

Contact Person: Senior HR Officer

Closing Date & Time: 13-Mar-2026 12:00

Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 7

Contact Email: exp.med-hr@ndm.ox.ac.uk